CF-19 32 bit vs 64 bit Win 7

My CF-19 came stock with win 7 pro 32 bit and 2 gb ram. I have the option of adding another 2gb to max out my ram at 4gb/with the 32 bit operating system or I can up it to 8gb and install the 64 bit version. I read somewhere that the recovery disk included has the 64 bit version on it but have not confirmed this anywhere yet. If anyone has done this your feedback would be welcome. Thanks

 

As far as I know you will have to order another one from Heartland. The restore disk is an image of your hdd when it left the factory so it's 32 bit

 

I have talked about this before in another thread. There are two slots for RAM, 4 gig max in each one. You can only use the bottom slot, which requires a breakdown of your machine to get to it and install the other 4 GIG, and it will give you the full 8 GIG's if you are running 64 BIT Windows OS. The downside is that you may have to get another CD to do the 64 Bit because I am not sure that the 64 is included on the recovery. Anyway, most are installed with Win Pro and I like the Win 7 Ultimate. I got mine and then downloaded all of the drivers from Panasonic, installed them per the instructions, EVERYTHING up and running. If you are not inclined to run 64 and you just want to up your RAM to 4 GIG, get rid of the 2 GIG, buy a 4 GIG, and stick it in the slot. It's a whole lot easier doing this than tearing your machine down to get the same effect using 2 two GIG's when you can just use 1 four GIG.

 

If I recall some new CF-19's come with a restore partition in addition to the restore discs. The partition restores to 64 bit windows. The default install is 32 bit.I don't think there are 64 bit recovery discs. I could be wrong on that. this is is according to the manual that came with mine the only way to install a Panny version of 64 bit. Alas mine was upgraded to bigger drive by the seller and he used the restore disc to prepare it. So I got 32 bit version. Again going by what I usually see is the default installation of the ram from the factory wether it be 2 gig stick or 4 gig for later models is the bottom slot. Adding ram has been as easy as popping of the little cover and sticking it in. now if you want to change the botttom one to something bigger that is when you have to disassemble the body.

 

@eno801 Yes, you are correct about the popping off of the little cover to insert the RAM module. I guess I should have clarified that point. When the TB is up right and your looking at your KB and screen, the easily accessed RAM module is on the bottom and can be accessed through the panel. When you turn it over, it is now "on top" and the harder to access one is on the bottom and requires some dis-assembly of your toughbook to install the new one. Someone posted on here a while back the way to do it because there are some delicate connections, tape that has to be removed, stuff that has to be slid out of the way, etc...... Again, if you are merely wanting to add RAM, the best way to go is buy the 4 GIG, turn the machine over, remove the cover and swap out your old RAM with the new 4 GIG. If you choose the 64 Bit route, go with Windows 7 Ultimate (It gives you everything and I mean everything), then when everything is setup to run Windows 7, dis-assemble your machine and add the new RAM to use the max you can on the CF-19.

 

As most of you know it's no big job to disassemble the bottom...a little over a dozzen screws...15 minutes tops.

 

%^$#% japan screws. They are made from plasticine, not steel
Be very careful with them.